Observations on Vanda dormancy...

[Yazz]

Windowsill grower here...

I have a NOID vanda in a vase in our bathroom which faces west. Lots of sun and the vanda thrived. Come wintertimes, the bathroom gets very cold. Vanda was ok for a month or so, then slowly her roots would stay green for longer and longer periods. Dormancy?

Being a newb, it took me a while to figure out it was too cold for her and put her in the warm south facing room. It's been a week and her roots are still green. Will water her when the roots turn white.

Now, take a cosmic mind leap to neofinetia's need for a cool, dry rest. Could it be that the cold could slow down the neos metabolism so they don't need as much water?

Will never say that vandas and neos are the same. But then, evolution started with a single cell.

So right now, vanda is in a warmer place and my little tribe of neos are in a sunny, cold bathtub.

Any thoughts on the subject?

[estación seca]

I have read that, once Vandas go dormant due to cold temperatures, it can take weeks for them to grow again. I try to keep mine above 60F / 15C and they keep growing. I seem to recall others here try to keep them above 50F / 10C. I have read they start dropping leaves under 45 F / 5C.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I have read that, once Vandas go dormant due to cold temperatures, it can take weeks for them to grow again. I try to keep mine above 60F / 15C and they keep growing. I seem to recall others here try to keep them above 50F / 10C. I have read they start dropping leaves under 45 F / 5C.

Depends on the Vanda. V. tricolor, V. cristata, V. roeblingiana don't seem to mind the cold, V. coerulea doesn't do much, but it doesn't die either. I cut back water for everything, which seems to help. Hybrids with Neof. falcata (Neosytylis, Ascofinetia, etc) are very cold tolerant. The bigger hybrids are another story - most of them have varying amounts of V. sanderiana in them, making them want temps more like Phals.

[Yazz]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I have read that, once Vandas go dormant due to cold temperatures, it can take weeks for them to grow again. I try to keep mine above 60F / 15C and they keep growing. I seem to recall others here try to keep them above 50F / 10C. I have read they start dropping leaves under 45 F / 5C.

Just figured out the bathroom is around 65 F right now. Probably gets colder at night, which are around the same temps you are giving.

From now on when it gets cold in there, Vanda goes in the warmer south room.

---------- Post added at 12:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:22 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Bud

Just don't let your Vandas go under 50F. They will not go dormant=they will start to die. Vandas need warmth and sunlight. Do not wait for the roots to turn white....soak them in lukewarm water and you will see the difference. Cold is its enemy. It might also get bacteria and fungi infestation. Overnight is enough to let the roots dry out. Vanda has high humidity in situ and your zone 9a is right for Vanda culture=just don't let it feel the frost.

---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 AM ----------

I have seen Neos in Japan growing on trees in the snow. But the thermal heat of the living tree must protect its roots. And the snow just melts in the day sun. But do not let it happen to your Neofinetia since most of the US bought plants are grown in labs. The US Neos are pampered and given the correct temperature and humidity. So treat it as such....pampered.

Have RO water warming up right now. Going to put some Physan 20 in the water too for good measure.

The neos are my babies. Most of them don't mind a dry, cold period. Just not too dry and not too cold.

---------- Post added at 12:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Don't tell my Neos... they don't get snow, but do get night temps in the 30's F and thrive. They're tough... But they have also acclimated. This isn't a good time of year to be moving pampered greenhouse-grown plants into harsher conditions. Wait for spring before even thinking about it.

No snow for my Neos either. Mine are windowsill grown where the house temp right now is 73 F. I've moved them into the bathroom where the temps are 60 - 65F. Not that much of a difference.

Think your Neos are tough too!

[Bud]

Just don't let your Vandas go under 50F. They will not go dormant=they will start to die. Vandas need warmth and sunlight. Do not wait for the roots to turn white....soak them in lukewarm water and you will see the difference. Cold is its enemy. It might also get bacteria and fungi infestation. Overnight is enough to let the roots dry out. Vanda has high humidity in situ and your zone 9a is right for Vanda culture=just don't let it feel the frost.

---------- Post added at 02:10 AM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 AM ----------

I have seen Neos in Japan growing on trees in the snow. But the thermal heat of the living tree must protect its roots. And the snow just melts in the day sun. But do not let it happen to your Neofinetia since most of the US bought plants are grown in labs. The US Neos are pampered and given the correct temperature and humidity. So treat it as such....pampered.

[Roberta]

Don't tell my Neos... they don't get snow, but do get night temps in the 30's F and thrive. They're tough... But they have also acclimated. This isn't a good time of year to be moving pampered greenhouse-grown plants into harsher conditions. Wait for spring before even thinking about it.

[MattWoelfsen]

Neofinetia are different with respect to temperature and water requirements of other Vanda. The geographic distribution offers information on their culture. I think Neofinetia are Vanda that adapted to their environment.

[Yazz]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Neofinetia are different with respect to temperature and water requirements of other Vanda. The geographic distribution offers information on their culture. I think Neofinetia are Vanda that adapted to their environment.

I think Neofinetia and Vanda are the same but different too. That's why I was pondering the Vanda's response to cold. She slowed down. Not good for Vandas. But, maybe the Neos when dry and cold, slow down too. Maybe that's how they adapted to survive the Japanese winters.

---------- Post added at 01:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:58 PM ----------

Originally Posted by NeofinetiaCanada2014

Neofinetias are highly adaptable plants to YOUR conditions.

If you grow warm in winter (good light and above 18C nights) treat them as in spring/summer. Water when dry. This is esp under lights, where they grow constantly, therefore needing water and nutrients (very light feeding).

If you grow with cold nights (below 15C nights), treat as winter rest time. Water when crispy dry or they will rot (unless there constant air circulation).

I always water base on plant performance. They tell me what to do. If roots start, it's time to increase water/fertilizer. This happens in late winter for some.

So no matter what time of year and lighting, the plant will tell you what it needs. Yes, it's good to 'force' a winter cool rest for better health and blooming, but not necessary. I have bloom plants well even without winter rest.

For Vandas, each species has it's needs of cool nights or not. If it has the background of warm night requirements (most round hybrids like Ascocendas), it will sulk in cold. But if it has cold species like coerulea, it will thrive with cool nights in winter.

I have roots of vandas stick in vases that had cold water for days. All fine but I drain out water once a week. Keeps water fresh and warms them up with new room T water.

This is my experience. Hope I haven't confused anyone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Didn't confuse me. Lots of good information! I have seen surprise roots poking out and not all Neos like a rest. Both types go back into normal care and conditions.

Don't know what type of Vanda I have. Going to give her a try with your watering culture.

---------- Post added at 02:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:09 PM ----------

Originally Posted by nicola

This is very interesting.
Since last August I put together a small collection of Vandaceae.
Apart from two Darwinara they are all seedlings deflasked last August.
These days are the coldest of the year and the night temperatures are just above 60 F.
Also I have noticed that the roots tend to stay green, so I decreased the frequency of watering.
But I noticed that although very slowly there are signs of growth.
Particularly darwinara started spiking and neofinetia produced new growth.
Vanda and Rhynchostylis show modest growth of new leaves.
Best wishes to you and your plants
ciao Nicola

Good to hear someone else has seen the roots staying green! Interesting the the Darwinara and Neofinetia both produced the most growth

Good luck with your Vandaceae!

---------- Post added at 02:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:02 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

For WARM GROWING Vandas, the lower limit is 55F at night. Below that treshold, they go into dormancy and sulk for months.

For COOLER GROWING Vandas (tricolor, etc.), you can go a bit lower, and cristata is even more tolerant.

In the northern part of it's range, Neofinetia falcata is exposed to snow and a touch of frost.

Common for all Vandas, during the colder & darker months, you should scale back watering & fertilizer - but do not stop watering.

Wish I knew what type of Vanda I have. It's on the big side with white/pink petals and a bright pink lip. I know now it's a warm growing Vanda. Hope she doesn't sulk for long...

---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Plodde

I have an ass load of Aerides and Rhynchostylis.
As of late the night temps have been around 55F-57F. A few weeks ago it even dipped into the high 40's.
I haven't seen much progress with the leaves... many have fallen off : ( but there has been a lot of root growth. I am still soaking them daily and sometimes even leaving them overnight to soak and in the morning the water is very cold.
I do have very good circulation in my indoor greenhouse and i have a large panel of T5's sitting above the greenhouse which helps with warmth during the day. Day temps are in the high to mid 60's.

My Rhynchostylis giganteas are NOT liking the cold!!

I have 2 Neofinetia falcatas in spike right now, Shunkyuden and MANGOKU-NO-MAI. I know these are typically slow growers but i dont know if the cold is making them even slower. I feel like they are progressing at a snails pace. I bought both of them on 10/4/15 in spike ( very small nubs) and now i have one that is in bud, just starting to form spurs and the other one has barley done anything.

Shunkydun and Nangoku-No-Mai are both neat Neos. Have no clue why one would be in bud and the other still a small nub.

Your best bet for your specific questions being answered is to start your own thread. Lots of knowledgable people are here.

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Neofinetias are highly adaptable plants to YOUR conditions.

If you grow warm in winter (good light and above 18C nights) treat them as in spring/summer. Water when dry. This is esp under lights, where they grow constantly, therefore needing water and nutrients (very light feeding).

If you grow with cold nights (below 15C nights), treat as winter rest time. Water when crispy dry or they will rot (unless there constant air circulation).

I always water base on plant performance. They tell me what to do. If roots start, it's time to increase water/fertilizer. This happens in late winter for some.

So no matter what time of year and lighting, the plant will tell you what it needs. Yes, it's good to 'force' a winter cool rest for better health and blooming, but not necessary. I have bloom plants well even without winter rest.

For Vandas, each species has it's needs of cool nights or not. If it has the background of warm night requirements (most round hybrids like Ascocendas), it will sulk in cold. But if it has cold species like coerulea, it will thrive with cool nights in winter.

I have roots of vandas stick in vases that had cold water for days. All fine but I drain out water once a week. Keeps water fresh and warms them up with new room T water.

This is my experience. Hope I haven't confused anyone


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nicola]

This is very interesting.
Since last August I put together a small collection of Vandaceae.
Apart from two Darwinara they are all seedlings deflasked last August.
These days are the coldest of the year and the night temperatures are just above 60 F.
Also I have noticed that the roots tend to stay green, so I decreased the frequency of watering.
But I noticed that although very slowly there are signs of growth.
Particularly darwinara started spiking and neofinetia produced new growth.
Vanda and Rhynchostylis show modest growth of new leaves.
Best wishes to you and your plants
ciao Nicola